Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 12: The Dragon Protector by Jessie Donovan

 

Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 12

Brodie MacNeil finds an injured human female just outside Clan Lochguard and is assigned to protect her from the ex-husband who left her to die. That includes secretly taking her to Clan Stonefire in England and looking after her as she heals. Before long, he starts to see the female in a different light, but given his past, he’s determined to keep his distance, no matter how much Mari calls to both man and dragon.

Mariana Barlow wakes up on Lochguard, frantic to find her children. But after learning all the dragon clans in the UK are working together to locate them and her ex, she tries to focus on healing. Since she’s allergic to dragon’s blood, she struggles, but a certain dragonman Protector goes out of his way to care for her. She tries shielding her heart, but Brodie is hard to resist, especially once he goes out of his way to win over her kids.

The pair both have tragic pasts, but together they start to feel whole. So when a nearly forgotten enemy tries to tear them apart, will Mari and Brodie be able to survive and finally find happiness? Or, will they be torn apart forever?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/255840199-the-dragon-protector

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

When Brodie discovers a severely injured human female outside of Clan Lochguard, he is assigned to protect her from the ex-husband who left her to die. He is also doing what he can to help find her children that her ex kidnapped as well. He may not be the one searching but he’ll at least care for their mom until they are found. To make sure she is safe, he takes her to Clan Stonefire. But he never expects to connect with Mari after she wakes and begins to heal. He never wanted a mate, after the tragedy that was his parents and the horribleness that came before they died. But Mari has him thinking differently. Mari wakes up, hurting in a lot of terrible ways, but is terrified for her children. She does her best to help the dragon shifters with any information she has and though she is wary at first, she surprises herself when she realizes that she isn’t afraid of Brodie. With her past? Men are the last thing on her mind. But he’s different. And every day he proves to her just how different he is than her ex. Perhaps love isn’t something so out of reach after everything she’s been through. Especially when she sees him with her children. But they aren’t safe just yet. Not when her ex is getting mixed up with some pretty bad people. Can they stop him once and for all? I really loved this story! I really liked getting to know Brodie and Mari. We get back into Stonefire and it feels like it’s been a minute since we were with that clan. Also, we got some pretty interesting new bits of information in this story, and I’m looking forward to seeing how everything plays out!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Storm Season Book 2: Under Water by EM Lindsey

Storm Season Book 2

 

That’s it. My co-worker has to die. There’s no other way around it. If I have to spend one more day cleaning up his mess—no matter how good he makes the mess look—I’m going to lose it.

My life is complicated enough with a soon-to-be ex-husband who won’t accept the marriage is over, a medically complex son, and a job I can’t seem to get away from. I really don’t need to keep nurturing this crush on the very obnoxious, very good looking, very straight firefighter.

It’s too bad Easton’s beloved around the station.

It’s too bad my kid also loves him.

It’s too bad he’s starting to make me feel like there’s hope for something more.

Especially when my life gets turned upside down after my ex starts stalking me, and my kid has a near-death experience. I’ve only ever relied on myself to get out of these messes, but now Easton’s making it seem like I can drop my guard.

But I know better than that. The moment I do, everything will go to hell.

So why does he keep showing up every time I need him? And why does he make me feel like, for the first time in my life, I can breathe under water?

Under Water is the second book in the Storm Season series. It’s a workplace rivals to lovers romance with a grumpy IT-guy single dad, a sunshine firefighter, a bi-awakening, baby ducks, a snarky pre-teen who sees way too much, and a steamy, swoony, happily ever after.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/258033279-under-water

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

When it comes to his private life, Rune is pretty quiet. He hasn’t even told those at the fire station about his son. Only a few know and some by accident. He’s not ashamed of his kid and the disabilities he has, he is just cautious considering his soon to be ex-husband is not a nice guy and has been disappearing in out and of Rune’s life before he can be served with the divorce papers. And when his ex comes back into town and starts causing even more harm, Rune is sure that he has no room for anything else. But Easton has a way of surprising him. Well, mostly driving him crazy, but deep down Rune knows he has feelings for Easton and falling for a straight guy is not a good idea. That is, until Easton reveals that he may have been crushing on Rune right back. It may have taken Easton a bit to figure out what he was feeling for Rune, but once he does, he is all in. And he proves bit by bit to Rune that he can be the man Rune needs if he lets him. And they’ll definitely need one another with everything that happens in this story! I really loved this story. We got our grump, Rune, and our sunshine, Easton, and they are just perfectly perfect for one another. Driving one another crazy, like two kids who don’t know how to reveal they like the other. And when they finally are on the same page? It’s everything both need and want and more than deserve. I loved getting to know them and watch them fall in love. They go through quite a lot and come out so much stronger at the end of it. I love this group of characters and I can’t wait to see who’s story is next!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Creepin U Season 2 Book 5: My Soul to Keep by Rae Simmons

 

Creepin U Season 2 Book 5

Tate

Creelin U has been all the rage since they started accepting humans. I never imagined I'd be one of those humans.

I'd only applied on a dare. I wasn't supposed to actually get accepted, let alone become fascinated with the broody new transfer.

But now I knew how Miley felt. I felt so out of place, so desperate to connect with someone that when my roommate asked to host a party, I couldn't say no.

Little did I know what that party would entail, and what my participation would bring. 

Luc

I wasn't sure what compelled me to apply to CU. College life had never appealed to me, but there's a first time for everything, I suppose. 

Then I found him, the adorable bright-eyed boy who'd summoned me. The first time I laid eyes on him, I knew he had to be mine. 

Then he made me a his virginity for my experience.

You know what they Never make a deal with a devil, unless you're prepared to take the heat.

You’re formally readmitted to Creelin University, known locally as “Creepin U.” The only things wilder than the monsters prowling around campus are the spicy male/male love stories unfolding between classes. My Soul to Keep proves that you shouldn’t make a deal with a devil–unless you can handle the heat. Don’t read unless you enjoy virgin MCs, possessive monsters, and a little bit of jealousy. It’s part of the Creepin Season 2 collab series, and each book has a HEA.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252814694-my-soul-to-keep

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Luc has been feeling a pull lately. So much so that he finds himself at Creepin U. And it’s not until he lays on Tate does he realize why. Tate is his. And all Luc wants is to get to know Tate and win him over. Tate wasn’t sure about going to Creepin U, but turns out, everyone is a lot friendlier than he could have imagined. His roommate becomes like an older brother to him and actually looks out for Tate. And then there is Luc. He may be a demon, but Tate has never felt safer. And while it may take a moment to get over his own shyness, the moment he and Luc get together, he knows this is exactly where he is meant to be. Very cute story between Tate and Luc. I really liked watching these two fall hard for one another. This is just another fun story set in this series!

Necessary Roughness Book 2: The Lockdown Mann by Riley Hart

Necessary Roughness Book 2

Desmond

I was sixteen years old when I met Oakley Manning during a family beach vacation. He was funny, gorgeous, as obsessed with football as I was, and hurting after his mom abandoned him.

For two weeks, we were inseparable. Oakley made me feel complete, settling something inside me.

Then one night, I kissed him…and he kissed me back.

When he walked away afterward, I pretended it hurt less than it did. It’s a lesson that’s stuck with me—the people I want never choose me back.

Oakley

Everything about what I shared with Desmond Jackson was perfect.

Then, on the last morning of our trip, my ex-girlfriend-slash-best friend dropped a bomb: “I’m pregnant.” For the sake of the baby, we decided to make it work.

Eleven years later, Serena and I are still best friends, but our relationship is over, though we haven’t told anyone. Between her mom’s recent diagnosis and our daughter, we aren’t ready for more complications.

Enter Des, recently traded to L.A.’s second pro football team—my team being the first. Now he’s always in my periphery, infuriating and needling me…and still capable of making my pulse race. Our chemistry is as combustive as ever. Des worships my body in ways I’ve never experienced, but he doesn’t believe in forever, and I can’t do casual.

We compete at everything, but he doesn’t know he’s already won my heart. I just hope it’s a prize he wants…and that my world won’t implode if I have him.

The Lockdown Mann is a second-chance romance between two professional football players, with a complicated history and an even more complicated present. Expect banter, anonymous online messaging, and heart. There is no cheating in this book.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250384100-the-lockdown-mann

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

When they were sixteen, Desmond and Oakley met at a time where Desmond needed a friend most. They spent weeks together in the summer, hanging out and not realizing it, falling for one another. And after Desmond gets the courage to kiss Oakley, everything crashes the next morning. Because turns out Oakley’s best friend and ex-girlfriend is pregnant. And he won’t abandon her and their child. So he breaks both their hearts and walks away. Years later, they’ve made a name for themselves when it comes to football. But for Oakley, he is currently almost a year into a separation with Serena. They tried for years to make their relationship work but both knew deep down they were only meant to be best friends. And that is what they are. But telling her parents, especially her mom who is sick, and their daughter is a little trickier than they planned. And then Desmond is traded to one of the LA teams. Soon Oakley is seeing him everywhere, and though they’ve seen one another during their NFL career, they’ve never talked about their past. But when feelings start stirring, it’s hard to ignore what could have been. For Desmond, he tried hard to push away the pain Oakley left him. But it doesn’t help that it wasn’t the last time someone left him. He’s kept so much of it in. And being around Oakley again, threatens to break his heart once more. Especially when they start hooking up. He keeps telling himself it’s just sex, nothing else. Because if he doesn’t protect his heart, who will? Oh these two! I wanted to shake them and tell them to be honest with one another but at the same time, their situation was definitely complicated. Poor guys have gone through a lot. But they deserved this second chance with one another. The universe has pushed them together more than once and they finally need to accept that they were always meant to be part of one another’s lives. I loved watching them get that second chance and falling hard for one another as adults. Another great book in this series! And looks like we got a small peek of what could be the next book. 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wilde Men Book 3: Lynx’s Ruin by Saxon James

 

The Wilde Men Book 3

Sasha

I'm prey. Weak little helpless prey. At least, that's what I let the wild men in Wilde's End think. I haven't trusted them one bit since I've been stranded here, and after Lynx tries to kill me, I know my instincts were correct.

At least until I'm forced to spend more time with the machete-wielding animal. He's got a past he won't talk about, and a protective streak that anyone else would find suffocating.

Anyone but me.

And when he extends that protection to me, it feels better than I expect it to.

I still want out of The End, but maybe I can have a little fun first.

Lynx

I'm a predator. When I was young, I promised myself that no one would ever get past my defenses again. People call me scary and unhinged, but they can think what they like so long as my town is safe.

The influx of outsiders to Wilde's End already had me on edge, and then in stumbles Sasha. A small, weak, walking tragedy. I have no idea how he's survived this long, but something about him calls to me. Everything from his pretty eyes to the way he bites back at me and fights battles he has no chance of winning.

I'd assumed he was prey.

But the more I push, the more I feel like I'm the one being hunted.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/255455415-lynx-s-ruin

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Lynx hates outsiders. His job is to protect everyone in Wilde’s End. Yet somehow, people keep coming right on in. And the latest? Sasha. When Lynx looks at Sasha, all he sees is his vulnerabilities. The thought of someone not being able to protect themselves is something he cannot stand. So even though he wants Sasha gone, he also can’t let him get hurt. But being around Sasha is dangerous. Because he stirs feelings in Lynx he long buried. He can’t love anyone again. Not after all he lost. Is he really prepared to be destroyed all over again if something happens to Sasha? Especially when Sasha is being hunted by some pretty bad people? Sasha wants to leave. He just needs his car fixed. Yet, he finds himself drawn to Lynx the more and more they spend time together. He is seeing what Lynx never lets anyone else see. So even when the day comes and he can leave, will he be able to? I was definitely excited for these two, opposites in so many ways, I was looking forward to seeing just how Sasha breaks down Lynx’s defenses. There is a lot more to Sasha than people see and it was nice to see Lynx surprised at every turn. And when it comes down to it, these two really need one another and are good for one another. Really loving this series so far! And I’m so excited for the next one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hockey Bros Book 2: Charlie by Beth Bolden

 

Hockey Bros Book 2

There’s nothing Charlie Barnes has wanted more than to play hockey with his brothers. Avery, Charlie and Ethan have been dreaming about uniting the Barnes brothers on one team since they were barely old enough to hold a hockey stick.

When Avery’s traded to the Bandits mid-season, it should be the happiest day of Charlie’s life. Charlie loves having his big brother around again, but not everything is roses and sunshine.

Charlie’s best friend Max—and the guy he’s secretly been in love with since his rookie season—is suddenly challenged by the team, the media and the fans to step up and be better leadership material than the newest Barnes addition. Everyone’s tired of the Bandits losing and the big trade means that winning is no longer optional.

Being captain of the New York Bandits isn’t always easy, but Max Meier loves it. Loves the team and his teammates enough to give up his dreams of playing hockey in his native Germany.

But there’s nobody he loves more than Charlie Barnes. He never dreamt Charlie might return his feelings, until a leaked video makes it crystal clear Charlie feels the same.

It’s a challenge, navigating the intense politics of a hockey team, even without the big brother of your unrequited crush hovering over your shoulder.

This time, though, Max is determined to ace every test, score the goal, and win Charlie, once and for all.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/251815679-charlie

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Reading the first book in this series, when it came to Max and Charlie your first thoughts are definitely, “Wait, what do you mean they’re not together?!” Makes zero sense when you see how those two are with one another on and off the ice. And we are finally getting some answers and a much deserved happily ever after for these two! Charlie clearly has feelings for his best friend, Max. And apparently, it was mutual. Three years ago, Max told Charlie how he felt, but Charlie lied through his teeth after being convinced that being with a teammate was a bad idea and that his priority should be hockey. So he broke both their hearts and they remained friends. But at the same time, Charlie may have been caught on video with his friends and brothers admitting how he really felt about Max. A video that he thought was long gone. Until now. Three years later, the video resurfaces and this time, Max sees it. He knows that Charlie lied. And this time, he isn’t going to let Charlie go without a fight. But can Charlie finally let himself be happy? To let go of what scares him the most? Guess you will have to find out! Oof! These two! Prepare for some angst kicking off this story while you try to rein in your feelings about shaking Charlie so he can see sense! Lucky for us, his brothers are on it. I adored these two and it is so clear how much they love one another and always have. The only surprising thing about their feelings coming out is that they haven’t been together all this time. Both have a lot going on and a lot to work through, but together? They can overcome anything. And I loved seeing them find their way to one another. Great, great story! And I’m pumped to see how Avery gets his own happy ending next!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Redemption Road Book 3: Joyride by DJ Jamison

 

Redemption Road Book 3

They call me Joyride because it’s what got me sent to prison. But it only reminds me of all the pain I’ve caused…

Two days after my eighteenth birthday I stole my parents car and went joyriding. I was mad at my dad, freaked out about my sexuality, and hurt that my best friend was dating someone who wasn’t me. 

I was reckless. Driving too fast. Heedless of the rain. Crying.

The car spun out of control and crashed into another vehicle, changing the course of two lives forever.

Five years later, I’m out of prison and finally at peace with being gay. I’ve got a good group of guys at Redemption Road who are focused on moving forward. But I can’t. All I can see is Dakota Willis, the other driver, paralyzed because of my actions.

When I run into Kit, my hot hookup from Omaha—a physical therapist who seems interested—I think this might be my moment to look forward instead of back.

Then I discover he’s Dakota’s brother. It’s over before it started. But if I can’t be with him, I can at least face Dakota again. Tell her I’m sorry. Try to make amends. 

If Kit hates me, I deserve it. If he uses me for his pleasure, I’ll serve as long as he wants. I’ve hurt these people, and I should hurt too.

Even if I’m starting to love them…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/253757389-joyride

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s finally Joey’s turn! I’ve been looking forward to his story for a while. Joey joined the Redemption Road program after being in prison for five years. Back when he was eighteen, he went out for a drive on a rainy day and ended up in an accident that paralyzed the driver in the car he hit. And because his parents called the cops to say that Joey stole their car to teach him a lesson, he ended up in jail. He knows he deserved it. His actions hurt someone and it’s something he has to live with everyday. What he never expected though was the man he hit it off with and hooked up with at a club outside of town, would be the brother of the woman he hurt. He knows he doesn’t deserve forgiveness. He’s not looking for it. He just wants to make some sort of amends to Dakota and now her brother, Kit. Kit was so happy to run into the guy he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about it. That is until he found out Joey was the man that hurt his sister. His sister may be willing to forgive Joey, especially as she gets to know him, but Kit isn’t sure he can do it. His heart disagrees. Because every day he sees Joey, the more he gets to know him and it’s telling him that Joey is a good man. But can he truly let go of the past? I loved their story!!! This was just so good. Joey had such a journey. Beyond trying to make amends, he really needed to learn to forgive himself a bit too. I loved that these two were able to get to know one another and work their way to a place that allowed them to truly fall for one another. This may be my favorite of the series so far! And I can’t wait for the next one.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.